<p>My Sears repairman told me that the mildrew problem (which I had been having) was due to using regular detergent. He said the He detergent wouldn’t do that (not sure why). He also said to pour a cup of bleach in the tub once a month and run a regular cycle; that has really helped.</p>
<p>My only complaint is that the fabric softner dispenser seems too small and I wish my clothes were a little softer (I have a Kenmore front load).</p>
<p>I haven’t noticed any noise with my Whirlpool Duet. In fact when we first got them I had trouble getting used to the idea that I couldn’t hear if it was still running unless I walked into the laundry room.</p>
<p>One problem I’ve noticed with my front loader is the vibration level. Our laundry room is on the second floor, and when the machine is in a spin cycle it sounds like the whole house is going to take off! This is probably just due to the fact that it’s on the second floor, and we have a lot of hard wood flooring which doesn’t insulate for sound.</p>
<p>Tookie, have you tried using a concentrated fabric softener? I use it and the concentrated detergent. I love the smaller bottles.</p>
<p>Love my front-loading Kenmore. Not only does it use less water, and less hot water, but the clothes are so much less wet when it’s done that I’m convinced I’m saving lots of electricity on the shorter drying times.</p>
<p>Every top loader I ever had eventually had the agitator loosen up and cut holes in some clothes. Not a danger with a front loader.</p>
<p>I buy the HE Wisk. Tide and a few others also make HE detergent. Costs the same as the regular detergent.</p>
<p>HE detergent doesn’t cure odor problems, leaving the door open works (although I still run bleach through a cycle every so often-was told to use vinegar…). I often add items- during the first 7(?) minutes, the door won’t open for a few seconds until the machine is ready for opening. Have discovered a very small item, eg a sock, caught under the seal at the front of the washer, with very full loads, do check this spot occasionally. I chose Sears over Whirlpool a few years ago because I preferred the push a button choices to the turn the dial choices. HE detergent makes a big difference in the sudsing. I made a cheap “countertop” out of plastic type shower liner material and carpet pad backing so I woudn’t lose items behind the washer and dryer since there’s no back control panel to prevent it. Did not opt for the risers because then I would not have had room on top of them for use (wall cabinets are over the space). Add my vote to the front loader crowd. I had read Consumer Reports before I got mine, for this product they still offer useful advice.</p>
<p>" . . .so I woudn’t lose items behind the washer and dryer since there’s no back control panel to prevent it."</p>
<p>Now that’s something I hadn’t thought of!</p>
<p>Try using All Small and Mighty, HE. There is a big difference between HE and regular detergents.</p>
<p>My front-loader does not get mildew in the rubber seal, but it does get mildew in the detergent dispenser. I leave the dispenser and door open as much as possible, and I occasionally run a rinse cycle with a little bleach in the dispenser.</p>
<p>Does anybody have a washer that does not require mildew control? Leaving the door open isn’t really a problem for a top loader, but doesn’t leaving the door open on a front loader get in the way?</p>
<p>Neither my Bosch nor my Asko have developed a mildew problem. I do leave the door open when not using them–just an inch or so–because water condenses inside if I don’t, which is an invitation to mildew. However, in 3 1/2 years, no actual mildew. </p>
<p>I do notice that the internal lint traps on the associated dryers (there is an external lint trap and an internal one in each dryer), which are very effective lint traps, require regular cleaning and that the lint is often moist–another invitation to mildew.</p>
<p>I will note that Western Washington, which gets a lot of moisture (it’s not always rain, sometimes it’s just really heavy mist), has a mildew problem in general, so I routinely follow mildew prevention procedures throughout the house, such as using bleach, for cleaning drying things off, etc. I have no mildew or mold anywhere indoors (although I have a fine crop of mushrooms outside).</p>
<p>I have a Whirlpool Duet, stacked with the dryer on top. Love it. </p>
<p>One thing I’ve noticed is that because the clothes don’t agitate, things that are balled up (like socks, or sweatpants that my son has kicked off) don’t un-ball like they did in my top-loader. I’ve got to un-do those things more carefully before loading it. Also, sometimes things in pockets (like my husband’s never-ending supply of chapsticks, or my son’s matchbox cars) don’t fall out of the pockets until they go in the dryer. I’ve had to up my vigilance about checking pockets. I’ve run a chapstick through the dryer thanks to that (argh).</p>
<p>lkf - leaving the door open doesn’t get in the way, the door swings to 180 degrees, and is out of the way of the dryer.
You do have to empty pockets, unball socks, etc.</p>
<p>Also there is a learning curve, especially because of the self heating. I divide clothes more strictly by colors, and ruined a few things before I learned how to use the machine. Once I figured it all out, though, my clothes are cleaner than ever. For example, when i first bought it, I washed all my towels and sheets a couple of times with no detergent, because the Miele gets more of the detergent out.</p>
<p>I’ve been looking at a front loader for some time and this thread is helpful. </p>
<p>But we tend to do alot of small loads. SOme of the posts have recommended the biggest machines available. How do they handle small loads? Just like a top loader (simply adjust the water level)? </p>
<p>BTW, now that it looks like my son will be going to a state university instead of a private college, I think I can afford one of these expensive machines ! :)</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>You can do as small a load as you wish with no adjustment to water level. The water used in these machines is so much less (level is never above bottom edge of door) that no adjustment is necessary. All I do is maybe change the cycle ie delicate or whatever.</p>